Site and Goals A haven where children grow, enjoy and learn   Program for grades K -4 NEW hours: 3–6:15 pm   New Flexible Enrollment: all days, by semester, by the week, two days/week single day/week   Frequently Asked Questions

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SITE
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
112th and Amsterdam Avenue

Where children can be children
The A.C.T. afterschool program is a haven where children can wind down after a school day and rev-up for challenges, friends and growth once grounded. Each day is different yet the same. After a warm greeting from staff, children settle in and relax with friends in classrooms offering a choice options. Students design classroom space making it a comfortable home-like room that includes music, computers, art project tables, boards game area and rest areas. They choose to begin homework right away or wait to go to the homework room.

Sandwiched between their first moments at A.C.T. and the late afternoon departure, students participate in a host of seasonal offerings that include: Gym games and challenges, Sports and recreation, Art projects and murals, Outdoor time in our playground, Baking and cooking chemistry, Homework help, Themes parties and events, Talent shows and plays, Board games and ping pong, Computer gaming, Gardening and animal care and clubs activities. The exciting variety of themes, activities and events are a means to an end. The fun and learning happens along the way!

K - 4 Students
We pride ourselves on creating a diverse community for neighborhood children. We serve children in private, public, and religious schools and those who are home-schooled, be they single sex, bi-racial/ethnic, and dual and single parent families. What better way to teach children tolerance, acceptance, and unity than in an environment that opens its doors to all?

BUILDING CHARACTER AND COMMUNITY

Peace makers: Staff guide students to resolve conflicts with peers by helping them consider their neighbor’s perspective and alternative solutions. Our goal is win–win strategies. Positive reinforcement, encouragement and caring are essential ingredients for successful outcomes. Our peacemaking strategies become life-long tools for students. Parents often note improvement in students’ social skills and emotional growth in just a year.

Your neighbor: Walking in someone’s shoes helps create empathy and compassion. Our mirroring techniques produce important insights that lead to effective analysis and cooperation among students. Caring for your neighbor is practiced in many ways: serving snack, fulfilling clean up duties, consoling a sad friend, high-fiving at the end of a game, giving up being first, and complementing a job well done.

Respect: We believe “You give what you get.” So it is no surprise when staffers take time to refocus students in a kind, supportive manner free of humiliation. Students learn to respect each other’s space and the world around them. Dignity and care extends to classrooms, hallways and our beautiful campus. Bulletin boards communicate thoughtful projects and outcomes. Gardens become a science lab and living creatures in classrooms become every students’ responsibility. The aim is to respect all creatures and preserve our precious environment.

Special Projects : Children work on and discuss community outreach projects. Tasks have included making a poster for children in the St. Luke’s Hospital cancer ward, crafting congratulation cards and a banner for new mothers living in shelters, decorating the A.C.T. gym for the Cathedral soup kitchen, and baking cookies for a men’s shelter.

A HOST OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Choice and clubs We aim to provide balance through activities and caring environment. First children are greeted warmly by their counselor and given a choice of activities such as reading, homework, “lego” construction or playing with friends. Through group meeting time and discussions, children plan many of their activities. They shape aspects of the program from the design of the room, creation of rules and planning of activities. We understand that older and younger children have different needs. Second , third and fourth graders are more independent. We offer clubs in the second half of the day which can include homework help, performing arts, fine arts, crafts, sports and games.

Feedback Program Evaluation Parents, children and staff have an opportunity to evaluate every program at the end of each year. This feedback helps us examine the quality of offerings and how to make them even better. A student progress report is prepared annually to help parents appreciate the social and emotional skills children display in a group setting. Staff strives to communicate each child’s successes and challenges as they work cooperatively towards common goals.

Homework Help Children can go to Homework Help classroom where a homework helper monitors children’s activities so they begin and complete assignments promptly and remain focused on tasks. Our staff with student volunteers from local high schools provide individual attention. Parents are encouraged to communicate their child’s individual needs to the homework helper. We aim to help children with their work and help parents and children to have more free time together when they arrive at home.

Others who share time and talent We are fortunate to work with community based programs and neighboring businesses. Students at Beacon high school , St Jean the Baptist, Fieldston and Hunter high schools often complete their community service requirements at A.C.T., where they teach youngsters hobbies and help with homework. Artists pursuing degrees at Teachers College lead special projects at A.C.T. We also collaborate with staff from Cathedral Community Cares, the Cathedral’s Public Education department, and its artist-in-residence program.

Students can attend 1/2-day programs at a reduced rate. Students receive $5 off vacation camp fee if they register early.

SELECT YOUR SEMESTER AND PLAN

Semester dates, a plan schedule of days and costs are listed on the registration form. Please indicate the semester you wish to apply for and circle days student will attend on the form provided.

The unlimited:For annual users Send your child to A.C.T after school when program is open throughout the year.....Save $5 for Holiday Camp Extended Day program..... Commitment to full tuition is required but payable in installments outlined in annual user contract ....Escort included, if available. ...Plan offers most economical rate available.

Semester weekly: Register for any weekday during the semester when your school is open... Applies to designated days shown in semester calendar.... Half of the fee is due at registration; remaining half due one month after the first month of participation.... Days may not be transferred, substituted, or carried over into a semester.... Escort is included, if available.... Can use the add-a-day option, if needed.

Duo: Not available to pre-school or kindergarten-age students.... Register any two days each week for the selected semesters.... Applies to designated days shown in semester calendar.... Semester fee is due at registration.... Two days per week must be circled on registration form.... Escorting fee is not included.... Days may not be changed, transferred, substituted, or carried over into a semester.... Can use the add-a-day option if needed.

Single Day: Not available to pre-school or kindergarten-age students.... Enroll one day per week for the selected semesters.... Applies to designated days shown in semester calendar.... Semester fee is due at registration.... One day per week must be circled on registration form.... Escorting fee not included.... Days may not be changed, transferred, substituted, or carried over into semester.... Can use the add-a-day option if needed.

The add-a-day option: For an additional $25 per day you can add-a day to any semester plan when enrolling on days not included with your plan when A.C.T. offers after school activities.... Add a day at any time in advance for an additional $30 per day in the event you have an emergency, up to four times per semester.

ACT is closed: Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Christmas Day; New Year's Day; President's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When can you send your child to the After-School center?
Once your child is enrolled, he/she may attend ACT at any of its sites from 3 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. whenever public/private schools are in session.

What happens when your child's school closes before 3 p.m.?
We realize that public, private and parochial school schedules vary. That's why ACT may offer supervision as early as noon, provided at least ten students enroll five school days prior to the early dismissal day. Parents must pay one week in advance of the early dismissal date. Children not registered in advance cannot be escorted to ACT.

Remember, parents must pay one week in advance of the date of early dismissal. Children not registered in advance cannot be escorted to ACT

How can students get to the After School Program Centers?
Pick up is available at some neighboring public and private school; other children are dropped off by DOE buses near the Cathedral entrance. For details, call 212.316.7530

When does pick up service begin and end?
Our escorting service begins two weeks after public schools open. Students from Cathedral School are picked up in their respective school building on the first day of school. Check our calendar for exact dates.

What happens when school is closed?
No problem. Children may be enrolled in ACT's Holiday Camp for an additional fee, or be brought to ACT at 3 p.m. If the ACT center is off the Cathedral grounds, this option is contingent on classrooms being available for ACT staff. Parents must notify the ACT office in advance.